Purpura paddling furiously

[pravata]

like a duck, everything looks calm above water but he's working beneath the surface.  Decided my sanity was more important and didnt listen to Astroline Wed. but heard a quote on 740 this morning.  Purpura says fas are thin but he's in contact with a lot of other teams.  Several interesting scenarios.  Reiiterates Mclane's statement that something could happen at the Winter Meetings next week.

[Fredia]

now i have this mental pic in my head that wont go away. lets hope the something could is a tease for big things to come at the winter meetings not a cover up for doing nothing. you know every other manager out there is looking to see if Pupura will take some dumb weak ass deal because of his lack of experience. i personally think now would be a good time to prove that theory wrong and blow eveone out of the water with a blockbuster deal in which the astros actually come out on the better end

[JimR]

why? he did nothing last year and went to the WS. was that disappointing?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

To the contrary, I think the other GMs realize he'll take the heat for deciding to do nothing rather than make a bad decision.  

On the GM front, I think there's some sort of bug going around the Mets front office.  First Steve Philips now Omar Minaya.  I'm not saying this is exactly like the spending spree that brought in Big Boy and Co. but it's got the potential.  If this one blows up like that situation, how many more years will they be recovering from the damage?

p.s.  Rumor mill has the Mets trading last years questionable deal to the Orioles (Benson for Jorge Julio)...

[Jacksonian]

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why? he did nothing last year and went to the WS. was that disappointing?

I believe the GM handbook explicitly states that the #1 goal of a GM is to consumate the biggest deal possible about which all the pudnits agree you came out ahead.

[MusicMan]

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p.s.  Rumor mill has the Mets trading last years questionable deal to the Orioles (Benson for Jorge Julio)...

Good lord... Anna Benson in the VD capital of America... you'll see the explosion from here.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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p.s.  Rumor mill has the Mets trading last years questionable deal to the Orioles (Benson for Jorge Julio)...

Good lord... Anna Benson in the VD capital of America... you'll see the explosion from here.

I had no idea Baltimore owned that lovely distinction.  Might it be better if he went to Toronto, the stripper capital?  She could return to her past profession....

[Craig]

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p.s.  Rumor mill has the Mets trading last years questionable deal to the Orioles (Benson for Jorge Julio)...

Good lord... Anna Benson in the VD capital of America... you'll see the explosion from here.

GonnOrioles?

[OldBlevins]

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p.s.  Rumor mill has the Mets trading last years questionable deal to the Orioles (Benson for Jorge Julio)...

Good lord... Anna Benson in the VD capital of America... you'll see the explosion from here.

GonnOrioles?

She'll be working hard beneath the surface.

[Reuben]

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why? he did nothing last year and went to the WS. was that disappointing?

I believe the GM handbook explicitly states that the #1 goal of a GM is to consumate the biggest deal possible about which all the pudnits agree you came out ahead.

Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. OK, you want to know WHY the Astros made it to the WS?

1. Outstanding years by Pettitte, Clemens, Oswalt, and Lidge.

2. Ensberg having a great year, very unexpectedly.

3. Middle relief being much better than '04.

So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands? Was he going to trade away any of those guys? No, it would have been Zeke, Wandy, or *maybe* Lane (for an OF upgrade), or upper-level Minor Leaguers (who aren't great anyway).

The team won 89 games (yes, yes, 96 incl. playoffs). That is not a flawless team. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?

[homer]

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why? he did nothing last year and went to the WS. was that disappointing?

I believe the GM handbook explicitly states that the #1 goal of a GM is to consumate the biggest deal possible about which all the pudnits agree you came out ahead.

Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. OK, you want to know WHY the Astros made it to the WS?

1. Outstanding years by Pettitte, Clemens, Oswalt, and Lidge.

2. Ensberg having a great year, very unexpectedly.

3. Middle relief being much better than '04.

So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands? Was he going to trade away any of those guys? No, it would have been Zeke, Wandy, or *maybe* Lane (for an OF upgrade), or upper-level Minor Leaguers (who aren't great anyway).

The team won 89 games (yes, yes, 96 incl. playoffs). That is not a flawless team. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?

Do you read much on this forum? If you did you would know that most everyone here wants Purpura and the Astros to be successful. You would also see that many here are very studious in their analysis of the team's potential trades and free agent acquisitions. You would also know that those same folks are well aware of everything in your post... but are lightyears ahead of you in the thought process.

No one disagrees the Astros could improve in some areas, but the discussions around here are really focused on precisely which position or player(s) and how such a deal will fit in the budget.

The Link

The Link

You should join us in one of these discussions or you should take your trite history lessons and shallow analysis elsewhere.

[otterj]

So, that basically leaves the discussions to... arguing about arguing?

[Bench]

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So, that basically leaves the discussions to... arguing about arguing?

It's not called The Void for nuthin.

[pravata]

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why? he did nothing last year and went to the WS. was that disappointing?

I believe the GM handbook explicitly states that the #1 goal of a GM is to consumate the biggest deal possible about which all the pudnits agree you came out ahead.

Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. OK, you want to know WHY the Astros made it to the WS?

1. Outstanding years by Pettitte, Clemens, Oswalt, and Lidge.

2. Ensberg having a great year, very unexpectedly.

3. Middle relief being much better than '04.

So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands? Was he going to trade away any of those guys? No, it would have been Zeke, Wandy, or *maybe* Lane (for an OF upgrade), or upper-level Minor Leaguers (who aren't great anyway).

The team won 89 games (yes, yes, 96 incl. playoffs). That is not a flawless team. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?

In the first place, can a team be perfect?  As for the current situation, owner and manager have more than hinted that deals are being negotiated.  Secondly, just because Purpura hasn't made a deal does not mean he hasn't attempted several.  At issue during last season is who could they have obtained that would have made a difference?  Keep in mind the team's determination not to trade for a rental.  In regards the reasons you listed for the Astros winning (there were others) I think they were basing the entire season on reason 1 and reason 2 was not as unexpected as you seem to believe.  A GM manages the make up of the team, he is not the head rotogeek and horse trader.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

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A GM manages the make up of the team, he is not the head rotogeek and horse trader.

An a way he's all those things. I'm happy that Purpura isn't an impetuous reactionary type manager. I'm confident that he is actively looking at how the ball club can improve. It's an ongoing passion for people who seek a GM position. I agree with you in believing he is working hard, looking at countless ways to improve the make up of the team. And so far he hasn't found anything that pleases him enough to make a move. I find nothing to be critical about with Purpura, except maybe he could lose some weight.

As I like to put it, so far every move he hasn't made has not been unsuccessfull

[pravata]

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A GM manages the make up of the team, he is not the head rotogeek and horse trader.

An a way he's all those things. I'm happy that Purpura isn't an impetuous reactionary type manager. I'm confident that he is actively looking at how the ball club can improve. It's an ongoing passion for people who seek a GM position. I agree with you in believing he is working hard, looking at countless ways to improve the make up of the team. And so far he hasn't found anything that pleases him enough to make a move. I find nothing to be critical about with Purpura, except maybe he could lose some weight.

As I like to put it, so far every move he hasn't made has not been unsuccessfull

That's a puzzling sentence.  Moves that Purpura has made that were successful, put Biggio back at 2nd, went with Taveras, stuck with Lane, trusted Wandy Rodriguez and especially Astacio.  Hired Russ Springer and looked to Qualls and Wheeler for middle relief.  Did not give Jamie Moyer another year on his contract.  Traded Tim Redding for Humberto Quintero.

[Reuben]

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Do you read much on this forum? If you did you would know that most everyone here wants Purpura and the Astros to be successful. You would also see that many here are very studious in their analysis of the team's potential trades and free agent acquisitions. You would also know that those same folks are well aware of everything in your post... but are lightyears ahead of you in the thought process.

No one disagrees the Astros could improve in some areas, but the discussions around here are really focused on precisely which position or player(s) and how such a deal will fit in the budget.

The Link

The Link

You should join us in one of these discussions or you should take your trite history lessons and shallow analysis elsewhere.

Yes, thanks, I'm aware of these discussions. I was pointing out the triteness of chastising someone everytime they simply bring up the topic of trading. I think it's oversimplification to assume that these people are bloodthirsty for any trade at all, no matter how foolish. Perhaps I should have limited my comment to

"Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?"

And I think I owe you a Fuck Off.

[pravata]

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Do you read much on this forum? If you did you would know that most everyone here wants Purpura and the Astros to be successful. You would also see that many here are very studious in their analysis of the team's potential trades and free agent acquisitions. You would also know that those same folks are well aware of everything in your post... but are lightyears ahead of you in the thought process.

No one disagrees the Astros could improve in some areas, but the discussions around here are really focused on precisely which position or player(s) and how such a deal will fit in the budget.

The Link

The Link

You should join us in one of these discussions or you should take your trite history lessons and shallow analysis elsewhere.

Yes, thanks, I'm aware of these discussions. I was pointing out the triteness of chastising someone everytime they simply bring up the topic of trading. I think it's oversimplification to assume that these people are bloodthirsty for any trade at all, no matter how foolish. Perhaps I should have limited my comment to

"Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?"

And I think I owe you a Fuck Off.

What is getting old is the implication that trades are the only way a team can improve.  And also getting old, and this is one for the tobacco spitters, the idea that the only good trade is the one that gets done. Furthermore, being disagreed with does not reach the point of blasphemy.  EVERYONE is hoping for a "trade or two" and that includes Mclane and Purpura, as they have publicly stated.

[Arky Vaughan]

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So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands?

I'm not so sure he's been sitting on his hands.  Just because deals haven't gotten done doesn't mean there hasn't been activity in the background.

[Froback]

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So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands?

I'm not so sure he's been sitting on his hands.  Just because deals haven't gotten done doesn't mean there hasn't been activity in the background.

I am still holding to the thought that just because Tim does a trade, does not mean we are receiving Major League ready players.  I REALLY believe any trades that are likely to happen are going to be for one of our ML ready players for a minor league player with more potential.  i.e. Astacio or Wandy for someone at AA with a higher ceiling.

[homer]

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Do you read much on this forum? If you did you would know that most everyone here wants Purpura and the Astros to be successful. You would also see that many here are very studious in their analysis of the team's potential trades and free agent acquisitions. You would also know that those same folks are well aware of everything in your post... but are lightyears ahead of you in the thought process.

No one disagrees the Astros could improve in some areas, but the discussions around here are really focused on precisely which position or player(s) and how such a deal will fit in the budget.

The Link

The Link

You should join us in one of these discussions or you should take your trite history lessons and shallow analysis elsewhere.

Yes, thanks, I'm aware of these discussions. I was pointing out the triteness of chastising someone everytime they simply bring up the topic of trading. I think it's oversimplification to assume that these people are bloodthirsty for any trade at all, no matter how foolish. Perhaps I should have limited my comment to

"Come on now, this shit is getting a little old. Just because someone suggests that Purpura MIGHT think about making a trade one day, does not mean that person should be declared a blasphemer. About the best the 'Stros might get from FA is Bengie Molina. Why shouldn't we be hoping they make a trade or two?"

And I think I owe you a Fuck Off.

We should be hoping for Purpura to make the right decision that will strengthen the team. Period. It is assuming too much to think that the 'right decision' is a trade... especially when there isn't any analysis as to why a trade is a good idea or even who would be involved.

[Reuben]

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So, how does that make Purpura a genius for sitting on his hands?

I'm not so sure he's been sitting on his hands.  Just because deals haven't gotten done doesn't mean there hasn't been activity in the background.

I am still holding to the thought that just because Tim does a trade, does not mean we are receiving Major League ready players.  I REALLY believe any trades that are likely to happen are going to be for one of our ML ready players for a minor league player with more potential.  i.e. Astacio or Wandy for someone at AA with a higher ceiling.

That's a very interesting thought, and I agree with Arky as well. For the most part, I am not a big trade advocate, and I don't see there being much that could happen with the hitters before ST. More room to manuever with the pitching. And the FA market seems so ridiculous this year that I think trades will probably end up being the best bet. The Ryan, Loaiza, Farnsworth and Gordon deals have me hoping Purp doesn't get too excited about any of these FAs.